Ion-Adsorption-Type REE Deposits
A special issue of Minerals (ISSN 2075-163X). This special issue belongs to the section "Mineral Deposits".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 March 2026 | Viewed by 17
Special Issue Editors
Interests: REE enrichment and mobilization in the parent granites for ion-adsorption REE deposits
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Rare-earth elements (REEs) are critical raw materials in advanced technological systems and green energy infrastructures. Thus, the high demand for REEs has led to global exploration campaigns targeting potential REE deposits. REE deposits in South China are important sources of REE and satisfy more than 90% of the worldwide demand for heavy REE (HREE). It has been demonstrated that the weathering process is a crucial factor in the formation of ion-adsorption REE deposits, whereby REEs are leached from granites and adsorbed by phyllosilicate assemblages under acidic weathering conditions. Still, the enrichment mechanism and controlling factors of the weathering processes remain unclear. In addition, the REE contents, patterns, and host minerals in the bedrocks beneath the weathering crust have been proven to significantly control the generation of ion-adsorption REE deposits. The questions that remain are: (1) what are the REE accumulations in the parent granites associated with ion-adsorption REE deposits, and (2) how do the REEs differentiate and achieve the relatively high heavy REEs in some, but not all, granites and their weathering profiles.
The Special Issue invites submissions that include original scientific research relating to the ion-adsorption REE deposits. The Special Issue focuses on the following topics: (1) REE enrichment in the parent rocks of ion-adsorption REE deposits; (2) the mechanism of REE accumulation in the weathering crust; (3) the key controlling weathering conditions for ion-adsorption REE mineralization; and (4) effective exploration methods for ion-adsorption REE deposits.
Dr. Xu Zhao
Dr. Jingzhao Dou
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- REE deposits
- REE minerals
- REE mobilization by weathering
- ion-adsorption of REE
- REE-bearing minerals
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